Composed for a secondary school jazz choir, Tangi te Kawekawea is a simple and very effective 4-part setting of a Maori planting spell. The choir's delivery is heightened by the addition of parts for three percussionists.

Tangi te kawekawea – waiho kia tangi ana!
Tangi te wharauroa – waiho kia tangi ana!
E tatari atu ana kia aroaro-mahana, ka taka mai te ahuru!
Koia!

The long-tailed cuckoo sings – let it sing!
The shining cuckoo sings – let it sing!
They are waiting for the summer, when the warmth will come!
Dig!

translation by Margaret Orbell